In the first 15s game of the spring season, UMRFC faced off against Oakland University on Saturday at
Mitchell Field in Ann Arbor. Oakland kicked off to start the game and the game started with some sloppy
play and turnovers by both teams while play remained in Michigan’s own half. Oakland attempted to
chip and chase but the ball was touched down behind the try line by Michigan for a 22-drop. Justin
“Mouse” Malin was able to kick and recover himself and after a few phases, the Wolverines were able to
swing it wide to John Spooney who broke 60m down the sideline to dot the ball down for a try.
Conversion good by Mouse to extend the lead to 7-0, just 5 minutes into the half. After the ensuing
kickoff failed to go 10, Michigan choose to take a scrum center but was called for a scrum penalty.
Oakland went quick and got the ball out to the wing who was able to shed a few defenders and take it in
for the score. Conversion no good. Michigan up 7-5. Off the following kick Oakland swings the ball wide
and breaks the line, but Spooney is able to make the tackle and turn the ball over on the edge. Play
continues with both teams unable to capitalize on the chances they are given. Michigan catches a break
as Oakland tries a clearance kick from their own end that travels no more than 5m. The Wolverines gain
possession but are held up as they attempt to slow-ball. Michigan wins the scrum and after a few
crashes are called for not releasing. Fortunately for Michigan, Oakland’s kick does not find touch and the
ball is cycled through the back 3 where Spooney again beats the defender to the each to dot the ball
down in the corner. Conversion no good. Michigan 12-5. Oakland is able to get the ball back after a
knock-on off the kickoff and maintain possession. After several phases and working the ball from one
sideline to the other the move inside the Michigan 22 but an errant pass from the flyhalf bounces into
Spooney’s hand and he takes it 80m for the try. Conversion by Mouse is good, Michigan extends its lead
to 19-5. The kickoff is mishandled again by Michigan and Oakland gets the ball back. They are able to
swing the ball all the way across the field and it appears that Mouse makes a try scoring tackle, but an
offload is made to the winger who takes it in for the score. Conversion no good, Michigan leads 19-10.
Errors plague both teams for the next 15 minutes as neither team can get anything going and play is
comprised of scrums and lineouts, one after the other, going into halftime.
Michigan kicks off to start the 2nd half. Oakland maintains possession and swings the ball across the field
where the in-center makes a huge break but then loses the ball at the breakdown. A penalty is
committed right away by Michigan and Oakland is able to kick for touch inside the 22. Oakland loses the
ball and play again is full of turnovers with play exclusively between the 22s. A scrum is awarded to
Oakland at midfield and Michigan steals it with Jason “Caveman” Anthony with the 8-pick then dishing
the ball wide to Eric “New Foo” Kuan who takes the ball inside the 22 before offloading back to
Caveman. Forwards are quick to the ball and Jamie “Cha Cha” Demers is able to crash over the line.
Conversion is no good, Michigan leads 24-10. Michigan maintains control of the kickoff and takes several
phases from sideline to sideline but can’t seem to gain substantial ground. Knock on’s plague both
teams and penalties lead to a continued change of possession. Oakland quick taps and then kicks over
the top on a chip and chase but the ball takes a bad hop. Another Oakland player in pursuit recovers the
ball but a bad pass and series of bad bounces put the ball back 40m from where the kick was recovered.
A turnover is created and breaks by Jacob “Jesse” Bailey and Nick “Squee” Azzopardi put Michigan in a
position to score. Again Cha Cha is there and scores on the pick and go. Conversion by Mouse is good
and Michigan leads 31-10. Kick goes deep and Michigan maintains possession just outside their 22
before committing a penalty to give Oakland the ball in great position to score. Oakland kicks for touch
and after a few forward crashes they swing the ball outside to the wing who evades a defender and
scores his 3rd try of the day. Conversion is missed, Oakland closes the gap but Michigan still leads 31-15.
Kickoff does not go 10 and Oakland elects a scrum center. They maintain the ball with several back and
forward phases and slowly move down to Michigan’s 22. The scrumhalf pick and goes at the ruck and is
wrapped up but offloads to the outside center who is able to go in untouched for the score. Conversion,
this time, is good, Michigan maintains the lead 31-22 with 10 minutes to play. The last 10 minutes
involve Michigan sharpening up the fundamentals and maintaining good ball control as well as playing
tough defense forcing Oakland to make mistakes. Off a final Oakland turnover Luke Mallery makes a
huge break and offloads to Uygar “OG” Ozdemir in what looks to be a sure score. The Oakland defense
recovers nicely and is able to turn the ball over. The game ends shortly after on a knock-on.
Overall, a great win by a young Michigan side with several Wolverines playing in their first 15s game or
in their first at a new position. They will travel to face Wheeling Jesuit in Cleveland this weekend.
